Beginner
Consent & Communication Basics
How informed, enthusiastic, and revocable consent works, and how to talk about it clearly.
What consent means
Consent is an informed, voluntary, and ongoing agreement between adults. It can be withdrawn at any time, for any reason, without penalty.
Core principles
- Informed: everyone understands what is being agreed to.
- Freely given: no pressure, guilt, or coercion.
- Specific: agreeing to one thing is not agreeing to everything.
- Revocable: a 'yes' can become a 'no' at any point.
- Sober enough to decide: impaired judgment undermines consent.
Communication tools
Clear, shared language reduces misunderstandings.
- Agree on a safeword and a non-verbal signal.
- Use a traffic-light system (green / yellow / red).
- Discuss limits before, not during, an activity.
- Schedule a debrief afterwards.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical, legal, or professional advice. All activities require ongoing consent between adults.